Historic Academic Exchange Signing at Arkansas State Capitol Aug. 9

Southern Arkansas University and the University of Artemisa in Cuba will sign a historic agreement at 11AM Wednesday, Aug. 9, in the rotunda of the State Capitol, formalizing an academic exchange between the two universities.
Dr. Trey Berry, president of SAU, said it is the first such exchange between an Arkansas university and one in Cuba. This week, SAU is hosting a delegation from the University of Artemisa including its proctor or president, Dr. Carlos Eduardo Suarez Ponciano, and Dr. Abel Alfonso Castro and art student Yoan Perez Nunez.

The two artists are working on a concrete art project that will “mirror” one painted in November 2016 by an SAU delegation to Artemisa led by Dr. Ed Kardas and Steven Ochs. Professor Ochs will be assisting the visiting Cubans with that work. The delegation has a full week planned and will visit the Clinton Library, Heifer International and the Arkansas Arts Center following the signing on Wednesday.

Professor Steven Ochs and visiting Cubans Dr. Abel Alfonso Castro and art student Yoan Perez Nunez begin work on the concrete mural project Monday morning on the campus of Southern Arkansas University. Ochs said the mural will be a “mirror” of one he painted with art students in November 2016 at the University of Artemisa.